MnDOT is preparing plans for several bridge replacements on I-90 through Austin, MN included in SP 5080-170. The project is currently scheduled to be let in October of 2023 with an anticipated construction start date of April 10, 2024. The project area consists of a five-mile-long, two-lane divided interstate highway within the City of Austin. The proposed project involves rehabilitation of two bridges, replacement of seven bridges, and reconstruction of four interchanges.

MnDOT is requesting potential contractors to assist with evaluating construction staging, project duration, and project risks for the referenced projects. MnDOT requests one-on-one meetings with potential construction contractors to review the proposed preliminary information and provide feedback. The meetings are expected to last approximately 60 minutes. More information here.

September 12-15, 2022 has been selected as the Department’s desired time period for scheduling the one-on-one meetings. MnDOT is planning to host the meetings virtually using Microsoft Teams. Please contact Jai Kalsy, Principal Project Manager, at 507-286-7545 or jai.kalsy@state.mn.us to schedule a meeting..

When faced with claims asserted by a third party, one of the first steps a contractor may take is to tender the claim to its insurer for defense and indemnification. In response, an insurer may agree to provide a defense against the claims under a “reservation of rights.” This article examines the rights insurers typically try to reserve and the possible ramifications for contractors. Learn more

Colin is a shareholder in Fabyanske, Westra, Hart & Thomson’s Construction Law Department. He can be reached at 612.359.7665 or cbruns@fwhtlaw.com.

THE LATEST: The Biden administration just issued a proposed regulation mandating that every general contractor and subcontractor engage in negotiation or agree to project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects valued at $35 million or more with limited exceptions.

WHY IT MATTERS: The Biden Administration seeks the construction industry’s feedback. Tell them to withdraw this proposed regulation and how it would impact your construction business.

AGC OF AMERICA'S POSITION: AGC of America neither supports nor opposes contractors’ voluntary use of PLAs on government projects or elsewhere but strongly opposes any government mandate for contractors’ use of PLAs. The association is committed to free and open competition for publicly funded work and has long maintained that the federal government should not mandate PLAs. 

THE DETAILS: Using government-mandated PLAs hurts union contractors, open-shop contractors, and fails to promote economy and efficiency in federal procurement.

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is considering disclosing federal contractor’s EEO-1 reports and is providing contractors with 30 days to object to disclosure. AGC of America is hosting a conversation on Thursday, August 30 at 2pm CT. Click here for more information and to register.

Nominations for this year's awards are due by September 30, 2022, and the awards will be presented at our annual Recognition Evening, October 13, 2022.

Thanks to member LS Black Constructors for hosting the AGC DEI Leadership Council this Wednesday for a meeting! The Leadership Council serves as a resource for the association to create best practices that foster minority and women owned businesses, employment opportunities, and business and employment requirements and standards.

The Worksite Cooperation Committee is surveying workers in highway heavy construction about their experiences. The Worksite Cooperation Committee is a subcommittee of the DBE and Workforce Collaborative. The survey will help inform industry stakeholders and help create tools to improve worksite culture. Responses are anonymous. Staff from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will compile the results. The survey takes 5–10 minutes to complete. It will be live through August 8.

Employers are encouraged to post this flyer on project boards, or include it with paystubs or in company meetings. For more information, contact Isela X. Gómez.

Prime contractors and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) will start receiving automated notifications from AASHTOWare informing them of the DBE commitment made on a particular MnDOT contract. The automated emails will be sent to the prime contractor’s DBE Compliance Officer and to the DBE Owner who were listed on the MnDOT Contractor Vendor Form.

Click here for an example of the MnDOT DBE Commitment Notification email.

Reserve your team or sponsorship for the 2022 Sporting Clays Fundraiser, held on Wednesday, September 14! Proceeds go to the AGC of Minnesota Foundation, which provides scholarships to students pursuing a career in the construction industry.

Join AGC members for a fall member meeting on September 28 at the Mendakota Country Club!

AGC of America Chief Economist Ken Simonson will review the latest evidence and offer his fearless forecast for construction nationally and in Minnesota.

Hear from Fabyanske, Westra, Hart & Thomson attorneys Hugh Brown and Julia Douglass on the IIJA’s effects on P3 projects, environmental review, Buy America requirements, Davis Bacon requirements, and other implications of the Act. The Act is also anticipated to increase inflationary pressures on construction materials and labor, and this session will offer some insights on how to handle the price increases that result.

Planning for the 2023 Minnesota Construction Summit is in full swing! Registration for attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors is open - click the buttons below to reserve exhibiting space, sign up as a sponsor, or save money by registering early to attend!

Today’s ultra-competitive landscape requires a special mindset and skillset in order to create – and maintain – a leading edge. Fortunately, these are two areas that are not determined at birth, but instead can be effectively built with the right focus and choices. Discover how embracing a competitive, growth-oriented mindset will foster professional and personal development at an unparalleled level and position you with an advantage in your customers’ eyes.

But in order to rise to this elite level, one must first understand how to make elite choices. In this session, Jake will show you how to do exactly that and create a daily plan of attack to ensure you stay consistent with it.

Hear from Jake on Day 1 of the 2023 Construction Summit in his keynote address, "Compete Every Day: How to Unlock Your Competitive Advantage in Life."